Connecticut high school student Elijah-Jay Mariano Rivera, 15, dies after losing consciousness during football practice as heartbroken mother pays tribute to ‘gentle giant’
- Windsor High School student Elijah-Jay Mariano Rivera (15) lost consciousness during practice on Tuesday
- District Superintendent Terrence Hill said the teenager was not engaged in any football practices or tackles at the time
- He was given CPR by police and emergency medical technicians, county Superintendent Terrence Hill said in a letter to families
A Connecticut high school student has died after losing consciousness during football practice in a tragedy that has left an entire town stunned and searching for answers, school officials said.
Windsor High School student Elijah-Jay Mariano Rivera, 15, lost consciousness during practice Tuesday and was given CPR by police and emergency medical technicians, district Superintendent Terrence Hill said in a letter to families.
Windsor Mayor Donald Trinks said Rivera was immediately given CPR by his trainers before police arrived.
Hill said the teenager was not engaged in any football practice or tackling at the time.
The student was taken to Connecticut Children’s Medical Center in Hartford, Hill said.
Windsor High School student Elijah-Jay Mariano Rivera, 15, lost consciousness during practice Tuesday and was given CPR by police and emergency medical technicians, district Superintendent Terrence Hill said in a letter to families
“Unfortunately, the medical specialists could not revive him,” he said.
Hill said crisis counselors will be available to students and staff on Wednesday.
“As a community we want to keep his family in our thoughts and prayers and support them moving forward as we can,” he said.
No other information about the student’s death was provided. District officials did not respond to a request for comment Wednesday.
Rivera’s mother, Chastity Hernandez, said that Riveras passions were football and cars, his lifelong dream was to play for his favorite NFL team, the Atlanta Falcons.
“He was the kindest boy,” she said CT Insider. “He was a gentle giant.”
Born in Fort Worth, Texas in 2007, he moved to Connecticut in 2010 before returning to Texas in 2019, Hernandez said.
Affectionately known as ‘Big Texas’ by teammates, he returned to Connecticut to ‘focus better on school and football.’
Rivera’s mother, Chastity Hernandez, said Rivera’s passions were football and cars, his lifelong dream to play for his favorite NFL team, the Atlanta Falcons
Born in Fort Worth, Texas in 2007, he moved to Connecticut in 2010 before returning to Texas in 2019, Hernandez said
Affectionately known as ‘Big Texas’ by teammates, he returned to Connecticut to ‘focus better on school and football’
The cause of Rivera’s death was unknown Wednesday.
“A 15-year-old kid playing a sport that he loved … you can’t rationalize it in any way,” Trinks told the Hartford Courant.
In a post on X, the Windsor Football Team dedicated their upcoming season to their fallen teammate.
‘From our eyes, but never from our hearts, we mourn the passing of Elijah-Jay Mariano Rivera, a wonderful son, brother, athlete, student and friend. #65 Forever in our hearts. We will miss you Big Texas, Love you. This season is dedicated to you and Coach Knight.’
“He will be greatly missed,” his mother added. “But will always be remembered with that big smile on his face.”